Artificial hand.



J. M. SHAGKELFORD & T. ALEXANDER.

ARTIFICIAL HAND. APPLICATION FILED DBO. so, 1910.

Patented Sept. 26, 1911.

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ARTIFICIAL HAND.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.80,1010.

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J. M. SHACKELFORD & T. ALEXANDER.

ARTIFICIAL HAND. I APPLICATION IILBD'DEO. 30, 1910. ,QQ4,482, Patented Sept. 26,1911

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wa zesa 6.6 V Z rZizaz'vziorzs 1' 1 1 0216 WZ. LjZzdcZge Z ford I $242M; filemafdiefi JOUEL M. SHACKELFOR-D AND TRUMAN ALEXANDER, OF ASHLAND, KENTUCKY.

ARTIFICIAL HAND.

' Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 26, 191 1.

Application filed December 30, 1910. Serial No. 600,075.

To all whom it may concern:

. Be it known that we, JoUEL M. SHACKEL- roan and TRUMAN ALEXANDER, citizens of the Unlted States, residing at Ashland. in

the county of Boyd and State of Kentucky,

have invented new and useful Improvements in Artificial Hands, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention is an improvement in artificial hands, and its object, stated broadly, comprehends the production of .a

device of that type so constructed as to provide for fiexion of the fingers and thumb as nearly as possible in the same manner as the corresponding parts of a natural hand, for

' obtaining such fiexion by a slight movementv wherein of the wrist or arm of the wearer. for locking the fingers and thumb in adjusted position, so as to relieve the strain upon the wrist and arm, and for permitting both a turning movement and an up and down movement of the hand.

A structural embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

Figures 1 and 2 are, respectively, a plan view and a side elevation of the improved hand, both. views having parts thereof broken away: Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2; Figs. .l and 5 are, respectively. an inner side elevation and a plan view of one of the fingers; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the top or first joint of a finger; Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken onthe line 7-7 of Fig. 4; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the universal joint connection'betwoen the body of the hand and the arm of the wearer, the parts thereof being shown as separated; Fig. 9 is a detail longitudinal sectional view of the gear train which operates the finger-actuating shaft; Fig. 10 is a side elevation. with parts in section, of a modified form of hand; and Fig. 11 is a transverse section taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 1.0.

As shown in said drawings, the hand comprises the body portion, generally indicated by the numeral 1, fingers 2, 3, thumb (i. the first-nn-zu'ioned part being designed for connection to a sleeve T through the intermediary of the wrist-plates 8 and 9.

Sleeve 7 may be constructed in any preferred manner and from any suitable materiahand is adapted to be fitted tightlyon the stump of the fore-arm of the wearer; Each finger consists of three sections 10, 11, and 12 that 4 and 5, and

correspond to and have the same relative proportions as the first, second and third joints -of a natural finger, while the thumb, in like manner, is composed of the two sections 13 and 14-.- The sections of each finger are provided at their inner ends with round ed tongues 10, 11 and 12, the tongues 10 and 11 fitting in the rounded forks '11" and 12 with which the outer ends of the sections 11 and'12 are provided and being piv.--

otally connected to said forks by pivot pins 15 and 16. Similarly, the thumb sections 13 and 14 are provided with tongues 13 and 14/. the former of which fits in the fork 14 in the outer end of. the section 14 and is connected to the same by the pivot pin 17. For convenience, the scctions'of the several fingers, as well as those of the thumb, are formed of substantially counterpart halves, which are arranged with their inner longitudinal faces in mutual contact, (see Figs.

Means is provided for operatingthe fingers and thumb simultaneously, and such means is itself intended to be actuated by a twist or turn of the wrist of the wearer. the construction illustrated, the fingers are mounted on a square shaft 18 that passes ,through correspondingly shaped openings formed through the tongues 12, said shaft being arranged within and transversely of the hollow body portion 1 and having its reduced ends journalcd in screw plugs 19 removably fitted in the side walls of said body portion. Rotation or rocking of shaft 18 will, therefore. directly affect the finger sections 12. Each section 12 is rotatable with respect to a stationary anchor 20 which is provided with an enlarged head 20 that is inserted between the halves of said section and is pivoted or swivelly connected to a flanged collar 21 formed on the inner face of, one of said halves, as shown'in Fig. 7, the anchor itself being securely fastened in the body portion 1 by a screw passed through its eye 20. Collar 21 is so positioned as to permit the shaft 18 to pass through it. being provided for-that purpose with a square axial opening. The free end of each tongue 12 is slotted or recessed, as at 12 to receive the stem of the corresponding anchor, thus permitting the desired movement of said section.

To produce the requisite movement of the sections 10 and 11 at the same time as that of the sections 12, the latter are so connect- 22, or the like,

ed with'the second sectionsll: as to transmit 24 being disposed between the halves of the p-gsections 12 and pivoted at their inner ends-to anchor head at oppo-- 23 424 and 25%26 may be the corresponding of the pair of links'2 5 and 26, the outer halves of the tongue 10,

their movement thereto,and said sectionsll are connected, in turn, with the sections-'10 for the same purpose. Pairs of crossedlinksadvantageously utilized for such connections,lthe links 23 and site'sides of the shaft opening, While the futr ends of these links extend between the opposite sides of the pin.

v through which pin16 asses and to this head, on opposite sides of said pin', are pivoteolfthe innerends enlarged apertured head 27 ends .of these, links being inserted between the ofthe corresprnding-section 10, as shown in Fig. 6, and pivot- I: .edthereto on opposite sides of the pin. 15.

The foregoing arrangement is such therefore, that when shaft 181s rotated in one diwill' assume their rection, the four fingers doubled position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and, on rotation of said shaft in; the other direction, will move into their ex: tended position shown 111' full lines 1H that I figure. I

l for inner section 14 o'fthe thumb is pivotally mounted on 'a cross-pin 29 which extends l is also connected a link chron'ous movement of obtain a corresponding synthe thumb, the latter isconnected with the index finger 2, pref- In order to erablylthrough the medium of a single link 28,. as hereinafterfdescribed; The second through the tongue, 1410f that section and is fitted at its ends in seatsfformed in the side walls of a'slot 3O leading into the interior of the body portion 1.

between the tongue halvesand is fastened cent-rally to the same by a, pm v32, one end of said link being connected to pin 29 and i the other end to the inner end of link 28.

Movement of the section 12 of finger 2 will 4 thus entail a movement of section 14, the

latter transmitting its movement to the first or outer section 13 by a pair of crossed links 1 33and34, these links being pivoted at their I connected to the adjacent reduced terminal ends of said shaft. Shaft 36 may outer ends to tongue 13 on opposite sides of pin-17- and, at'their inner ends to the head 35 of an anclior35. I The free end of thestem of anchor 3 is of a shaft 86 which is ldisposedwithin the 1 parallel with. shaft 18 plugs 37 similar to the plugs 19 above described bein-g employedms journals for the likewise be square in cross-section; and'is connected with shaft 18 by in ans of gearing. two trains of gears being preferably 'e-n'iployed'.

with and driven To; said tongue there 31 thatis disposed- Each train comprises three gears 25b, iii) and 40, of gradually decreasing size, the gears 38 and 40' being provided with sleeves 38 and 40., which fit on shafts 36 and 18 and are revoluble in openings formedin the p air '70 plates 41 located on oppositesides of each trainythe central gear 39- of each train being mounted on a pin 42 connecting the central portions of'the adjacent I Tl'ie'largest gear-38' of each train; may be, and preferably -is,-"inthe form :of a segment. Shaft 36 is driven by meansuof' a'direct ear connection with the main operating shaft, which is itselfrotatedby' a twist or turn of the wrist of the wearer, thelemploy so ment of the increas ng trains otgearsjpermitting a-complete movement of. shaft '18 to be effected by 'a 'coinparatively slight, turn of the wrist. In the form of theinvention shown inFigs. 1 to 3, the operating shaft 43 carries a bevel gear 44 which meshes with a smaller gear 45 secured to shaft iifip'while the latter shaft, in the modification shown in-Fig. 10, carries a worm wheel 46 in mesh by a worm 4 7 provided upon' theoperatingsnaft 48.

I Shaft 43 extends through registering openings in the base1 of the body portion v 1 and the frontv wrist-plate9 and carries a] two-armed Tockcr 49' suitably fastened to theunder face of gear. 44. Base 1, is formed-l with a pair of 'dia'metrically-opposite arcuate-slots 5,0 in which are movable the forward-portions of a pair of rods 51, .Th'ese rods are" connected at their front endsto the terminals of the arms of roclter 49, "pass through openings'52 in the front wrist-plate 9, y and projectat their rear ends'throughs'ithilar arcuate' slots 54 formed in thereariwrists plate 8, the. rear face of said plate 8 being formed with a paiir of transverse parallelchannels 55 having concave or dished inner.

walls, as shown inFig'S. The front face ofplate 8 is'convex and coact's with the concave rear face ofplate 9, thelatter-plato be- I in'g preferably hollow and havingtlie openings in lts rear wall OfglGfdl'GhSlZO than those in its front wall. Ea ch rod is encircled by a tension spring '56- located interior-1y of plate 9 and projecting at its rear end through the corresponding openii'ig' in the rear wall of saidplate, so as to bear against the front face of plate 8, the front end of the spring bearing against the inner face of; the front wall of plate 9. These springs serve to hold the mutually-adjaccnt faccsof ,the base 1 and plate 9 in contact;-thereby",

preventing the hand proper from slipping under normal conditions. The rear ends of' the'rods carry nuts 57 which are received in the channels'55 andjjare adapted to be tightened against the dished inner .vhlls'tlirreof- Shaft '43 also-carries nuts 58 adapted to be tightened against the inner wall of a seat 59 formed in-base 1, this seat being interpair of plates. I

sected by the opening wherein said shaft is disposed. The hand and the front wristplate 9 are capable of a slight up and down movement relativevto plate 8, the latter plate being secured in any suitable manner to sleeve '1'.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 10, a single hollow wrist-plate 8 is employed. This plate is provided with a concave rear wall which coacts with the convex end plate on sleeve 7', said plate and-sleeve having a yielding connection through the medium of a pair of. bolts 60 encircled by springs 61 whose tension is controlled by means of nuts 62 threaded on the rear ends of the bolts. Said bolts pass through alining slots 63 formed in the rearwall of plate 8, this construction permitting an up and down movement of the hand and wrist with respect to sleeve 7.

In both forms of the invention, it will be understood, therefore, that a turn or twist of the wrist or arm of the wearer will produce rotation of the operating shaft, which latter will, in turn, rotate the. shaft 36 through its gear connections therewith, the rotation of shaft 36 being transmitted to shaft 18. by means of the two gear trains. Shaft 18, on being rotated, will move the four fingers and thumb in unison, the movement of the thumb being occasioned by its link connection 2831 with the index finger 2. During the movements of the fingers and thumb, they will flex or bend, owing to the pairs of crossed links which connect the sections thereof.

Means is provided in the preferred form of the invention for locking the hand as a whole in adjusted position, to relieve the strain upon the arm. Such means comprises, primarily, a rack (r1 that is located within the body portion 1 and is pivoted at one end to the inner wall of base 1. This rack is normally forced by a spring 65 to- 'ard the adjacent arm of rocker 49, which arm terminates in a tooth 66 designed to engage the rack. teeth. The opposite end of the rack projects outwardly through a bayonet slot 7 in the back of the body portion 1, and said rack is so mounted on its pivot as to enable it to be forced away from tooth 6t) and depressed in said slot, whereby it will be held in inoperative position.

In the second or modified form. the shaft 48 is loosely mounted in the body portion 1 r *ar end tXltlltlSdUOSthV into the wrist-plate H and carries a ratchet wheel ($8 with which a twoarincd pawl (ti coipcratcs. said pawl being pivoted cciitrally upon a pin T0 set into the front wall of the wristplate. To each end of the pawl a pin Tl 1'- conncctcd. these pins projecting laterally outward through openings in the latch o'l llu' xvri t-ydatc and terminating in llttlllr-. 'lhc pawl is also formed with a ccnlrul V-shapc'l and its only necessary to projection '72 adapted to be engaged by a spring 73. When both teeth 74 on the outer ends of the pawl arms are out of engagement with the ratchet, the hand may be turned freely in either direction without occasioning movement of the thumb and fingers, but when. either pin 71 is pressed inwardly, the pawl will be rocked and the adjacent tooth 74 will be forced into engagementwith the ratchet so that a turn or twist of the wrist will then result in the fingers being opened or closed, the'to'oth 74 beingheld in such engagement by the pressure of spring 73 against the adjacent side edge of the projection 72. To release the pawl, itis return it to its normal or inoperative position by pressing the other pin inwardly to a slight extent.

Shaft 48 is journaled at its forward end in a bearing formed in a bar 75 that connects a pair of spaced brackets 76, which are secured within the interior of the body portion 1 and are located upon opposite sides ofsaid shaft, only one of these brackets, however, appearing-in Fig. 10. To reduce friction during the movements of the hand and the shaft 18, ball bearings may be employed, as shown in the figure speci ed.

The sections of both the fingers and the thumb may, if desired, be equipped with bands of rubber or similar material, as indicated by the numeral 77, for the purpose of affording a firmer grip, and a pad 78 may also be applied to the palm of the hand.

\Ve claim as our invention:

1.'In an artificial hand. the combination of a body portion; a shaft journaled therein; a series of jointed fingers having their third joints mounted directly on said shaft: means for rotating said shaft to swing said 105 third joints; and connections between each joint of each finger and the succeeding joint of that finger, for flexing said fingers when said shaft is rotated.

2. In an artificial hand. the combination 110 of a body portion; ashaft 'journaled therein:

a series of jointed fingers having their third joints mounted on said shaft; an anchor associated with the third joint of each finger: means for rotating said shaft to swing said 15 third joints; a pair of crossed links pivotally connecting each anchor of the correspomling finger; and a pair of crossed links pivot-ally connecting the second and first joints of each finger. 120

3. In an artificialhand, the combination of a body portion: a shaft journaled therein: a series of jointed fingers having their third joints mounted on said shaft: means for. rotating said shaft to swing said third joints; 125 connections between each joint of ea h linger and the succeeding joint of that finger for llexing said lingers when said shaft is rolatcd: a thumb pivolally connected to said body portion; and direct connectioi'is bc- 130 and the second oint tween the index finger and said thumb for l operating the latter from the former and for swinging it in unison therewith.

4. In an artificial hand the combination of a body portion; a shaftjournaled therein; aseries ofolnted fingers having their third joints mounted on said shaft; means for rotatinggs'aid shaft to swing said third-joints;

. dex finger;

. of a body portion;

connections between each joint of each finger and the succeeding joint of thatfinger for i said shaft: is ro tate'd; a jointed thum having its second jointlpivotally connected to said body portron; connections between said second joint and one of the joints of the indexfinger for swinging thethumb in unison with said inand connections between' the third joints; a pair second and firstfjoints ofsaid thumb for.

flexing said fingerswhen said shaft is ro-- tated; a oint-ed thumb having its second jointgpivo-tally connected to said body portion; a link rigidly secured to. said second. joint; a link pivoted atone end to the third joint of the index finger and at the other end to the first-named link for swinging-the "thumb. in,un ison with said index finger; and connections between the second and first joints ofv said thumb for flexing the latter during its movements.

6. In an'artificialhand the combination of a body portion; a shaft'journaled therein; a series of jointed fingers having their third joints mounted on said shaft; an anchor associated with the third means for rotating said shaft to swing said third joints; a

of a, body portion; Ta series of ointed third joints; a pair of crossed links pivotally connecting each anchor and the second joint 1 apair of crossed links pivotally connecting-the second and first joints of each finger; a jointed thumb having its second joint pivotally connected 'to said body portion; connections between the second joint of said tlnnnb and one of the joints of the. index finger for swinging the thumb in unison with said index finger; and connections between the second and first joints of said thumb for flex ng the latter during its movements.

7. In an artificial hand the' combination a shaft jonrnaled therein; fingers having their third joints mounted on said shaft; an anchor as; sociatcd, with the third joint of each finger: means for rotating said shaft to swing said pair of crossed links pivotally connecting each anchor and the second joint of the corresponding finger; a pair of joint of each finger;'

' said body portion joints of said thumb for crossed links pivotally connecting the: second and first joints of each finger; a jointed thumb having its second joint pivotally con nected to said body portion; connections between,- the second joint of said tlllllllb'fllltlone ofthe joints of the index finger for swinging the thumb in unison with'said index finger; and connections between the sec- 0nd. and first-joints of said thumbforfiexingithe latter during its movement-s.

8.In an artificialhand,'the combination of a body ortion; ashaftjournaled therein; a series 0 j ointedfingers having their third joints mounted on said shaft; an anchor associated with the third joint of each finger;

means for rotating said shaft to swing said of crossed links pivotally connecting each anchor and the second joint of crossed links connecting the l'ast named Y anchor and the first joint of said thumb for flexing the latter during its movements.

9.. In anartificial'hand, the combination of a body portion; a series of jointed fingers and a jointed thumb pivotally connected to said body portion; ineansfor moving said fingers in unison; means for flexing said fingers during their D'lOYGDiGlltS; C()1111Cil01l$ between the index finger and the second joint of said thumb for moving the latter in unison with said index finger; and connections between the second and first joints of said thumb for flexing said thumb when the same is moved.

10. In an artificial hand the combination of a body portion; av series of jointed fingers and a-jointed thumb pivotal y connected to means for moving said fingers" 1n unison-;means for flexing said fingers during their movements; a. linkrigidly connected to the second joint of said thumb; a link pivoted at one" end to one joint of the index fingerjand at the other end to the first-named link for moving said thumb in nnison-witlfsaid connections between the second and first flexing the latter when the same is moved.

I 11; In an artificial, hand, 'ofa hollow body portion;.a pair shafts j o'urnaled therein; means tivelv driving one of said shafts; gear connections between said shafts; a series of index finger; and

fingers mounted directly on the other shaft a and moved bythe rotation thereof; a thumbpivoted to said body portlon," and. means for nections between said shafts; a series of fingers mounted directly on the other shaft an moved by the r tation thereof; a thumb pivoted to said b0 y portion; and connections between said thumb and the index finger for moving the former in unison with the latter.

i 13. In an artificial hand, the combination of a body portion; a series of lingers pivotally connected thereto; a slmftmounted inosaid body' portion; connections between said shaft and said fingers for moving the latter; an operating'shaft mounted in said body portion; gear connections between said shafts; a member secured to the operating shaft; and a toothed member movable into position to engage the first-named member for locking said operating shaft against rotation.

14, In an artificial hand, the combination of a body portion; a series of fingers pivotally connected thereto; a shaft mounted latter; an operating shaft mounted in said body portion; gear" connections between in said body portion; connections between said shaft and-said fingers for moving the said shafts; a member secured to the operating shaft; and aspring-controlled retaining member-movable intoposition to engage the first-named member for locking said operating shaft against rotation.-

' l5. In an 'arti-ficialhand, the combination of a body-portion; a series of fingers piv- Jotally connected thereto; a shaft mounted in said body portion; connections between said shaft and'said fingers for moving the latter; a sleeve; a wrist-plate interposed be- 1 tween'said sleeve and body portion and connee-ted tothe former, said wrist-plate having a pair of openings formed therein. and said body portion being formed with a pair of slots registering with said openings; an operating shaft journaled in said body ortion; connections between said operatmg shaft and the first-named shaft; and a rocker secured to said operating shaft and provided with a air of rods projecting through said slots into said openings.

I 16. In an' artificlal hand, the combination of. a bodv portion: a series of fingers plvotally connected thereto; a SiiOVG; a wristplate interposed between said sleeve and body portion and rigidly conuectcd'to the former; an operating shaft mounted in said body portion; connections between said shaft and said fingers for moving said fingers when said shaft is turned; and a rocker secured to said shaft and provided with a pair of rods engaged with said wristplate.

17. In an artificial hand, the con'ibination of a body portion; a series vof fingers pivotally connected thereto; an operating shaft mounted in said body portion; connections between said shaft and said fingers for op erating the latter from the former; a member seemed to said shaft; and a spring- .a wrist-plate interposed between said body portion and said sleeve; a member secured to said shaft 'and provided with a pair of rods engaged with said wrist-plate, said body portion being formed with a pair of slots wherein said rods are laterally mov- 'able, to permit lateral movement of said body portlon rclatlve to said wr1st-plate;

and means arranged to engage said member for locking the same againstmovement.

19. In an artificial hand, the combination of a body portion having its palm provided with a gripping pad; a series of fingers pivoted to said body portion; and means for flexin said fingers.

20. 11 an artificial hand, the combination of a body portion; a plurality of jointed digits pivot-ally connected thereto, each joint of each digit having an annular friction band fitted thereon; and means for flexing said digits.

a In testimony whereof wehave hereunto set-our hands in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

'JOUEL M. snacKELronn. 'TRUMAN ALEXANDER. IVitnesses:

I H. C. FISHER,

ARTHUR Sommoen.

"cont'rolled member arranged to engage-tho 

